Consider This: The Design Workhorse No One Talks About (That We Happen to Love)

Hi, everyone! Contributing writer Laurren here. Today, we’ve got a little something different for you. It’s not so much a trend discussion as much as it is an awesome-furniture-we-don’t-see-enough-people-using discussion. But before we jump in, let’s go back in time for a moment…

Every Saturday during my last year of college, my best friend and I would have brunch at this spot that served $1 mimosas. (Class!) The restaurant was attached to an antique mall, so it wasn’t uncommon for us to mosey our way over after eating. Most of the time, things ended harmlessly enough, but one day I laid eyes on a green secretary desk and, without much thought as to how I’d use it, told the dealer I’d take it. (How I managed to shove it in the back of my two-door Dodge Neon when I picked it up the next day is still a mystery to me.)It wasn’t really something I could afford at the time—and I probably wouldn’t have purchased it without that tiny bit of liquid courage—but I never regretted it. It was the first piece of furniture I bought on my own based on want rather than need, and I felt very cool and adult about it.

Over the years, as I moved from apartment to apartment and city to city, that impulse buy became a lot of things—bathroom storage, a bar when I wanted a bar cart but couldn’t afford one, a makeshift jewelry cabinet, a desk-shaped junk drawer, lol, and even an actual workspace for actual work. It’s still the most versatile piece of furniture I’ve ever owned, and though I don’t regret finally getting rid of it a few years ago (my style took a more minimal turn), I’ve thought of it a lot since then.

With secret compartments and drawers that can be hidden away by a drop-down or roll-down panel, secretaries fall somewhere between a dresser, hutch, and desk. (Remember when you were young and cleaned your room by shoving everything under your bed? Adulthood is cramming your stuff into a secretary desk.) And these days, with so many styles on the market—from sleek and modern from big box stores to traditional vintage or antique pieces from places like Chairish—there’s really an option for every space. (See the roundup at the end.) All of this is to say we think it’s high time these multi-tasking workhorses (design darkhorses?) get the recognition they deserve. Here’s some inspiration for how you can work one into (almost) every room of your home.

Living Room

Thanks to its stealthy design, a secretary desk is an obvious choice for a living room that needs to double as an office. (There’s nothing relaxing about looking at a traditional desk from your couch!) If you have the space, opt for a taller piece with a hutch. Not only does it provide tons of storage, but it also draws the eyes up and brings height to the room. As with anything design related, it’s all about balance. Here, a more traditional style in a rich wood finish (remember when we said brown furniture is back?) is a refined counter to the room’s modern mushroom-y lamp and printed sofa.

A paint job can be all you need to breathe new life into a tired piece. Here, a pinky-coral is a wild color choice made palatable by the desk’s more traditional shape. It could all be a little much in a smaller space, but it works here thanks to the room’s tall ceilings and otherwise neutral color palette.

Dining Room

In the dining room, a secretary desk with a glass hutch is a lovely way free up space in your kitchen and display special occasion items. (Because let’s be honest: if you can’t see it you won’t use it.) Utilize the drop-down table as extra serving space when you need it or style it up as a bar cart, as seen here.

A petite secretary desk, like the one seen here, can go a long way in keeping countertops clear when space and storage is limited. (They’re a great option in a bathroom with a pedestal sink if you can squeeze it in.)